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Virginia Chambers, Ed.D.

Associate Professor, Education

Chair, Department of Teaching and Learning

 

Ginny-Chambers-headshot-2023.jpgContact Information

Education

  • Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education, Pennsylvania State University
  • Master of Education, University of Virginia
  • Doctor of Education, Reading Education, University of Pittsburgh

Courses Taught

  • Technological Literacy for Education
  • Building Family Partnerships
  • Art and Music in Teaching
  • Reading Methods I and II
  • Differentiated Reading for the Developing Child
  • Math Methods I and II
  • Student Teaching Seminar
  • Technological Applications Across the Curriculum

Background

Virginia Hall Chambers, Ed.D., is an associate professor of education at Point Park and chair of the Department of Teaching and Learning. Prior to joining Point Park, Chambers was a research and teaching assistant and university liaison for the reading specialist intern program at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Education. Before that, she participated in New York University's Steinhardt Global Program at the Institute of Education in London and Oxford, England. For 10 years, Chambers was a second grade teacher and kindergarten teacher at Takoma Park Elementary School in Takoma Park, Md., and a third grade teacher at St. Paul's School in Brooklandville, Md. Chambers has presented both nationally and internationally on children's literature and reading.

Chambers is committed to providing unique experiences for the students. She coordinates the Student Teaching Abroad programs in Ireland and Spain. Most recently, Chambers has been focused on building literacy and interdisciplinary teaching in maker spaces. She is the primary investigator for Point Park University's National Science Foundation awarded grant, “Transforming Integrative Makerspace Education for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) Pre-Service Teachers."

Curriculum Vitae

Teaching Certifications

  • Reading Specialist Certification (K-12)
  • Maryland Standard Professional II (K-6)
  • Pennsylvania Instructional I (K-6)

Publications

  • "Transforming Integrative Maker Education for STEM: Empowering Pre-Service Teachers," Chambers, V., Marnich, M., York, K. Open Access Government, Oct. 2023. 
  • "Engaging Students in STEM," Chambers, V., Marnich, M., York, K. Futurum Journal, January 2023.
  • "Caldecott Medal Picturebooks from the 1970s and 2000s: Promoting or Hindering Cross-Cultural Understanding?" Childhood Education, 2011.
  • "Books without Boundaries: Children's Literature that Supports Global Awareness," Global Book Review, 2011.
  • "Expecting the Unexpected: Explorations into Historical Research," History of Reading News, 2010.
  • "Coaches and Coaching in Reading First Schools: A Reality Check," co-author, Elementary School Journal, 2010.

Selected Presentations

  • Chambers, V., Marnich, M., York, K. (2023). Transforming Integrative Maker Education for STEM. Research presented at the AERA Annual Meeting, May 4, 2023, Chicago, IL.
  • "Maker Space Matters- Partnership with Purpose," co-presenter at the Make Play Learn Conference, July 2023, Madison, WI.
  • Chambers, V. & York, K. (2022). T.I.M.E. for STEM. Workshop presented at the Hawaii University International STEM/STEAM & Education Conference, June 9, 2022, Honolulu, Hawaii. 
  • Chambers, V. & York, K. (2022). T.I.M.E. for STEM. Workshop presented for Remake Learning Days, May 23, 2022, Pittsburgh, PA. 
  • Chambers, V., Marnich, M., & York, K. (2022). Transforming Integrative Maker Education for STEM. Research presented at the International Conference on Humanities, Social, and Educational Sciences, April 22, 2022, Los Angeles, California. 
  • Chambers, V. (2021). Embracing the 4 C’s through Poetry and Makerspaces.  Research presented at the UKLA International Conference, July 3, 2021, Oxford, England. 
  • Chambers, V. & York, K. (2021). T.I.M.E. for STEM. Research presented at the Women Ed US Virtual Unconference, July 23, 2021. 
  • "A Century of Children's Literature," The Frick Art and Historical Center, Pittsburgh, Pa., March 2012.
  • "Exploring the Past from a New Perspective: Using a Multigene Approach for Historical Research About Pioneers in the Reading Field," co-presenter, National Reading Conference Annual Meeting, Fort Worth, Texas, December 2010.
  • "Caldecott Award Books from the 1970s and 2000s: Promoting or Hindering Cross-Cultural Understanding?" International Reading Association Annual Meeting, Chicago, Ill. April 2010.
  • "Optimal Distance Delivery Models for International Contexts: Faculty Analysis," CGSE Annual Research Conference, Pittsburgh, Pa., March 2010.
  • "A Comparison of Two American Readers: 1936 and 2009," National Reading Conference Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, N.M., December 2009.
  • "Nietz Old Schoolbook Collection: Comparing Cultural Diversity in American Readers from 1865, 1936 & 2009," poster presentation at the International Research Society for Children's Literature Biennial Congress, Frankfurt, Germany, Aug. 8-12, 2009.

Service and Honors

  • FEA Faculty representative, Point Park University
  • Act 48 Workshop presenter, Frick Art and Historical Center, 2012
  • National Reading Conference proposal reviewer, 2009-2011
  • Book Reviewer, History of Reading Special Interest Group, 2010
  • NCTEAR Conference proposal reviewer, University of Pittsburgh, 2009
  • Varsity tennis coach, Mt. Lebanon High School, 2009-2012
  • USTA Middle States AMD Coach of the Year

Professional Affiliations

  • International Reading Association
  • United States Board on Books for Young People
  • International Research Society for Children's Literature
  • Pennsylvania Association of College and Teacher Educators
  • National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
  • International Society for Technology in Education

In the News

Point Park Features